Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Under the wire by a nose?

Before becoming a teacher, I was a sportswriter. I still enjoy the dramatic story lines and athletic feats inherent in sports, not to mention the abundantly available metaphors. So, count this entry as my checked-swing effort to dribble a hit past tonight's Slice of Life deadline. A bloop to keep my weekly blogging streak alive.

An hour ago, I found myself near the end of middle-school Back to School Night. Two parents dropped in to ask a question about Ultimate Frisbee on behalf of their son in high school. (The son, I'd taught back in sixth grade; Ultimate Frisbee is a volunteer coaching gig for me these days.) After getting their question answered, the parents also gifted me with the news that their younger son, still in middle school, fondly remembered my attendance at a play in which he acted last year and a compliment I'd shared with him about his scene-stealing performance. (He and I have not yet shared a classroom.)

At the end of a long day, the exchange left me wrapped in the comfortable blanket of historian Henry Adams' now borderline cliche: "A teacher...can never tell where his influence stops." Sometimes, though, we get clues.

I would say those moments were more than clues! It si clear that you have impacted both of these young men. Glad you ended Back to School Night on such a positive note. Your former career explains your vivid writing.

Right on, Gillian. I like that lens you're looking through re: the creativity of language and experiences as batteries for learning. Worthy imagining to be done in service of instruction, as you champion.

Coaching, teaching, parenting, a student learning, the giving/receiving of compliments... it's all good! Sporting of each and everyone to keep being in the game of life. Too bad so many require 'keeping score' [reference to the grading dilemma]. And your writing style makes it all the more enjoyable to read... not to mention having discussions with others here via your catalytic influence. Thanks, sport; very much appreciated in short or long run. !dnuora lla sguH